Do you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night worrying about how you are going to balance being a full-time student while working? Or do you find yourself waking up at 3am because you remembered you have to make a costume for your child's school play? Does it take you hours to fall asleep, which then makes it impossible for you to function the next day?

If you answered yes to any of the above, chances are a few simple steps can help alleviate the stress load. However, according to Esteban Linarez, M.D. for Madison St. Medical Sleep Disorders Center, what may seem as a harmless sleeping pattern can eventually pose as a real threat to your physical health. "Most often sleeping disorders go undiagnosed, especially within the Latino community," said Linarez. "Sometimes taking a couple of minutes out of the day to relax helps the individual sleep better.

But there can also be an underlying issue as to why the person is unable to sleep throughout the night. This issue can be referred to as obstructive sleep apnea." With this in mind, Linarez opened his own Sleep Clinic and Laboratory, Madison St. Medical Sleep Disorders Center to educate the Latino community and patients on the root causes and consequences of sleeping disorders.

More reminiscent of a sleek hotel lobby complete with hardwood floors, soothing colored walls, and stacks of magazines, comfort and relaxation were key to making patients feel right at home. "We don't want our patients to feel like they are going to a clinic to be studied. We want them to feel like this is their second home." Linarez, who grew up in the Little Village community, took time to explain the consequences of sleeping disorders such as, sleep apnea and what you can do to address the issue.

Lawndale Bilingual Newspaper: Can you explain what obstructive sleep apnea is and how it affects an individual's sleeping pattern?Esteban Linarez, M.D.: Basically, one of the main sleeping disorders we commonly see people have is obstructive sleep apnea. That's basically where your airway is collapsing while it's sleeping. It can collapse either completely or partially. Your airway has to close down at least five times per hour in order to be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. And you also have to have excessive daytime sleepiness or falling asleep while at work.

LN: What are some of the' causes of sleep apnea?EL: The risk factors for sleep apnea can be genetic. It can be weight related, anatomy related. There are environmental factors; smoking tends to cause more swelling of the airway, which again in turn makes it smaller. Another thing can be an endocrinology issue, where hypothyroid and age related. Between your 50s and 60s the risk of sleep apnea begins to increase significantly. It's all about lifestyle. If you are exercising and not over eating and maintaining a healthy weight, it does decrease your risk for obtaining sleep apnea.

LN: Is there a higher number of sleep disorders within the Latino community in comparison to other communities?EL: The sleep disorders in Latinos are more elevated in the diabetic population, just because there's a higher incidence of diabetes within this community. That tends to lead to an increase of obstructive sleep apnea. There are some studies that show that about 50 percent of people with obstructive sleep apnea go undiagnosed. So the risk factors that it can cause in the future are arrhythmia of the heart, increase risk of stroke, depression like symptoms, car accidents, and an increased risk of insomnia symptoms.

LN: What tips can offer to help individuals sleep easier?EL: Keep you room dark, don't turn on the TV or computer, try to unwind an hour before bedtime, keep a pen and paper next to your bed to write down your thoughts or to-do list. If or the next day, try to relax and exercise, don't eat unless you're truly hungry and try to wake up the same hour every day.

Medical St. Medical Sleep Disorders Center is located at 850 W. Madison St., Suite A, in Oak Park. If you are interested in learning more about or suffer from sleep disorders, call 708.613.4140. Or visit, www.madisonstmedical.com. All types of health insurance are accepted. MSM Sleep Disorders Center, aims to help Latinos & patients combat sleeping disorders, which can pose a threat to your health.

Seventeen local businesses and property owners were honored Thursday evening for their investments in Oak Park as part of the 36th annual meeting of the Oak Park Development Corporation.

The event, held at the Carleton Hotel on Marion Street, brought together a panoply of local officials and civic leaders as well as new-to-the-village entrepreneurs who were recognized for their commitment to the village in the form of new stores, facades and expansions of their businesses.

Honorees receive a Nicholas Award, a framed certificate, named for Robert E. Nicholas, who is considered to be the pioneer of commercial real estate development in Oak Park in the early years of the last century. Honored this year with Nicholas Awards were:

Petersen's Building Restoration, 1100-1106 Chicago Ave., for the complete restoration of the façade of a landmark building and the prominent relocation of Petersen's Ice Cream. Peter Skiouris, owner.

Potbelly Sandwich Works, 1100 Lake St., spent several years searching for an Oak Park location and finally found it this year in the Shaker Building. Matt Doudalis, store manager.

Rush Oak Park Hospital Same Day Surgery Suite, 520 S. Maple Ave., for its $1.8 million investment in a 24-unit, same-day surgery center at the hospital. Streamlined surgical care and added convenience for patients was the goal, said President Bruce Elegant.

Walgreen's adaptive reuse of the Collins Building, 800 Madison St. Walgreen's was lauded for its relocation to Oak Park and Madison streets and its creation of an environmentally-focused flagship store. Jay Javors, of Midwest Property Group, was cited for his work with Walgreen's in adapting the original building façade.